Disclaimer: Any chapter is suitable for this particular uhm, thing.

! It's the last chapter! And WOW you guys! Thanks so much for all the reviews! Sorry about the lateness! This chapter is set… about a year and give or take a couple of months from the last chapter.

Uhm, hello? What are you still doing here? Get reading!

PS: Poll results are at the bottom


Snow Becomes Spring by Strawberry'd

Chapter Twelve: Snow Becomes Spring


Syaoran tried not to be a messy person. He threw his clothes everywhere, and his desk was in a shambles. Papers flew and pencils were constantly being lost and found in the most peculiar places. But come the next day, everything would be fine and neat and tidy.

He liked order, he liked things being clean, and he liked things to be where he could find them.

Usually this was not the case.

Things might look clean, but that was just a surface clean.

For example, under the bed. A nice niche, perfect for hiding things away from prying eyes. Under Syaoran's bed, there was quite a bit of… well, the only word for what it was was… junk. A couple mismatched socks, a few shoes, only one of them and surprisingly, only the left ones… there was quite the collection of dust bunnies and an old basketball… a flashlight that was missing its light bulb. Not too far away was… a light bulb, and next to that were a couple of batteries.

All which were in pretty poor condition.

Under the bed was where Syaoran put all of his junk, useless, unprofitable junk.

But there was another place where Syaoran kept some of his stuff. Not the junk… but the good stuff. The stuff he wanted to keep, the stuff he cherished. It was a drawer, in his closet, close to the back, hidden by his many shirts and pants.

The things inside this drawer were never meant to be seen by another person.

The things inside this drawer were more valuable, more precious to Syaoran than anything he had ever owned in his entire life. And that included that pony he had been given for his eighth birthday.

Inside this drawer… was a box. An inconspicuous, normal-looking, ordinary box. Inside this box was tissue paper, bubble wrap, styrofoam, all in that order. They covered the items in the box in the drawer that were irreplaceable to Syaoran.

Problem? No, not a problem… just a… an interesting fact.

The fact? There was only one item in the styrofoam-bubble wrap-tissue paper-box-drawer.

One could guess what this lovely item could be, but it'll be more fun if I just tell you.

A book. Pink, kinda glittery, with the words… 'For Syaoran' scrawled on it with a messy, definite feminine handwriting.

Inside were many things. One could guess from the recipes, that it was a cookbook, but it was not.

Maybe from the pictures, it was a photo album. Nope, try again.

There were writings in it, with different cursives, with made it obviously that different people wrote it in, at different times.

It was all of these things, but none of these things.

It didn't really matter what it really was to Syaoran; the only thing he cared about was that it was… from her.

The pages were worn, and the book had the look that it had been read many times over again. Syaoran walked over to his closet, shoved aside some shirts that fell into his way and took the book from its hiding spot.

He quickly took all of the material surrounding the book off it and carefully picked it up.

Syaoran took a deep breath and opened the worn-out, many-times-read-again book for another reading.


It all started when Tomoyo ran down the stairs one evening shouting, and crying out in joy.

Her words were barely comprehensible and everyone told her so.

Soon, she got over her initial excitement and took a few calming breaths.

"Sakura's coming!" She shouted, jumping around a bit.

She had one of these announcements every now and then, so Syaoran didn't take much notice of it.

But soon… her words penetrated his mind. Sakura…? Coming…

He gasped. Sakura was coming?

Just the other day, he had been thinking about her (when did he not?) and now… she was coming?

Trying to restrain himself from jumping up and shaking Tomoyo until she gave more details, he asked in (what he considered) a calm, aloof voice. "When is she coming?"

Of course, his calm, aloof voice came out sort of strangled and high-pitched.

Fortunately, only Tomoyo and Eriol were in the room with him. Of course the two gave him a sly look with a half-smirk (in Tomoyo's case) and a full, menacing, I'm-so-gonna-use-this-as-black-mail smirk in Eriol's.

"In a week or so, she said." Tomoyo finally said, much to the impatience of Syaoran. "She said she might stay for a couple of days, if her brother will let her."

Syaoran frowned. Her brother… Syaoran never made it clearer that he loathed Touya Kinomoto, even if he was the one who reunited sister with brother.

"I can already think of all the things we're going to do together," Tomoyo continued. "Shopping, and biking, and skating and…" Syaoran tuned out, lost in his own thoughts of Sakura.

She was coming back… after how long? 15 months? That was over a year…

What if…

Tomoyo voiced his fears. "What if she's… changed? A year's a really long time, after all."

And then she shook her head and smiled brightly. "No, I don't think so. I've been emailing her, and it doesn't seem like she's changed."

But still… what if…


Tomoyo had been counting down the days, and succeeding in wracking Syaoran's nerves. He knew she was coming; he didn't need someone jumping around him practically shouting, "She's coming in three days!" and then, "She's coming in two days!" and finally… "One day! Sakura's coming tomorrow!"

After the week of non-stop Tomoyo-screaming, the household completely tuned her out. Syaoran tried his best, but her voice always penetrated his thick defense.

Soon, since no one else was listening to her, Tomoyo began to tell anything with a heartbeat that Sakura was coming.

Syaoran's anxiety grew with every day. He had corresponded with her infrequently, and constantly hinted at his affections, but remembering the cute, naïve girl that she was, she probably didn't get the hint.

Nevertheless, Syaoran hoped, with all his heart, that when she arrived, she hadn't changed, and still remained that adorable, youthful, childish girl that he had fell in love with, over a year ago.


When she finally came, it wasn't a big of a deal that Syaoran originally thought it would be. Seeing as how he had had many sleepless nights, tossing and turning, one would think that the day he had been awaiting/dreading would be significant in his mind.

But it wasn't.

Maybe it was the lack of sleep, or maybe Syaoran really didn't care, but when Sakura finally came, all he could do was nod dumbly and sit down heavily in a chair.

On second thought, it had to be the lack of sleep, because frankly, the thought of Syaoran not caring was… preposterous.

Sakura was welcomed into the household with happy smiles and warm embraces. Syaoran would jump at the chance, but he was too busy dozing in his chair.

He couldn't really see what he was so worried about. Sakura was Sakura, and she would always be Sakura. The same Sakura he had fallen in love with.

For the first couple of days (Touya had consented to let Sakura stay for a week), Tomoyo had hogged Sakura all to herself, and Syaoran had barely seen a glimpse of her.

Of course, he might have been too busy regaining all of his sleep.

It was the fourth day, when Syaoran found himself in the gardens. He had always liked them, in whatever season. It was mid-March now, and the sun was shining, but snow was still on the ground.

He had sat on a bench that was under a tree. He liked coming in the summer, when the tree provided ample shade. Syaoran dozed under the tree, or read under the tree. He liked to think there, glazing out upon the world, the shade dancing on his face, the wind playing with his hair.

But now, the tree's branches were bare and the sun was not shining. The wind that blew was cold and frigid, and although Syaoran detested the cold, he stayed out there.

Maybe…


Sakura ran outside, knowing that the cold wind would keep Tomoyo inside. She was happy about being back, and seeing Tomoyo but she needed a little time for herself, just to breathe, y'know?

She started out for the path that surrounded the estate, but remembered that it was near a shoreline. The wind would be colder there, and she was not in the mood to be frozen, especially in her sweater-less state.

Sakura walked down the path to the gardens, thinking that the wind would be less of a threat there.

It had also started to snow softly.

What she found was more of a threat than wind or anything else could ever be.

When she left the Li Manor, she went to a new school, met new friends, and new crushes. Not many, just a few, but still. And yet, she always thought they paled in comparison to one person. Namely? Syaoran Li.

She couldn't stop thinking that maybe if that guy had more of an amber eye colour, he'd be more attractive. Maybe if that guy had messy chocolate, brown hair, he would be better-looking.

Sakura stopped at the gate that led in the garden, to see Syaoran, with his head tilted back, his nose in the air, eyes closed and his tongue sticking out. She smiled. He was catching snowflakes.

Quietly, she crept up to him and sat beside him.

He didn't notice under she said, "Syaoran-kun?"

He started and almost fell off the bench he was sitting on. "Oh, h-hi." He said, a blush settling on his cheeks.

She smiled, and the two sat in silence for a while. The snow had stopped.

"Syaoran-kun, what do you think the snow becomes when it melts?" She asked, remember a memory long ago, of a person who asked her the very same question.

"Uh, I don't know… water?" He said, in a clearly confused tone.

She shook her head, smiling.

"What is it then?" he asked, curiosity in his voice.

"Think about it; you'll get it."

Syaoran stared at her for a bit, and then nodded slowly. He turned away, the blush still prominent.

They sat under the glare of the sun, watching the snow slowly melt… into spring.


For my reviewers:

Chikichiki- Haha, thanks so much! I hope you liked the chapter!

AxFaTaLxiLLuSioN- Nice name! Haha, she didn't really leave Syaoran! She came back, didn't she?

Pinaygrrl- Haha, thanks! Wow, I never knew I had this much impact on someone. :grins:

Dogle-puppy- Oh wow! Happy early birthday! Thanks so much for the review! Hehe, I like being unpredictable!

Serenity's Blaim- Yeah, a fellow Canadian! W00t us Eskimos rule! Haha, thanks so much! You remember my story's name :sniff: That's so sweet!

Lil-asian-cherry- Ok, she says "give me an hour" and she's a little shocked. Like, sometimes when someone is given the improbable, the brother thing in this case, she's stunned. She goes with what Touya's telling her to do cuz she's like… dumbfounded. Lol, that's the reason I'm giving. Thanks for putting me on your Faves!

Avelyn Lauren- Well, for one, Touya looks like Sakura, a little. She must not recognize him but there's an intimacy, right? I mean, they're brother and sister! She's seen the pictures, and I think she should remember a bit about her family… And he has pictures as well. And Syaoran's the one that brought him, and she has no reason not to trust Syaoran. And Syaoran knows that he's her brother by the doctors and nurses from the hospital. Thanks for the review!

Kafwinn- Aw, thanks! I'm sure there are many other stories just like mine, but thanks so much anyways!

AnimeObsessionFantasy- Hehe, fosho! ;) Lmao Thanks for the review!

DandyM- o.o senpai? Wahh! Wow older someone reading my little story:squeals: Thanks for the review!

Juay- Another senpai:smiles: Thanks! But sometimes if you just go straight to the romance, it's a little rushed. It's not rushed, it is:nervous look:

Kyoyama Kita- lol, thanks for the review!

Killer2Be- Hehe, thanks a lot! Aw, you think my story's wonderful:blushes:

Sakura maio- Aw, thanks:blushes: I hope you can get into your account!

Sadiosn- Aw, why haven't you reviewed? I'm sure the authors would appreciate it! Thanks for the review! Hehe, hope you liked the update!

Kitiara- o.o Wow, the Netherlands:runs to check atlas: Wow… you're from Europe? Cool:D Haha, thanks for the review!

Prozacfairy- Happy Birthday! We're all children at heart! Haha, no worries :D Sakura came back to Syaoran! Thanks for the review!

Adriatic- Hehe, wow two reviews! Yeah, when I was starting to write this story, I was watching Fruits Basket and I completely adored it. So this story models the anime/manga a bit. -.-;; what does kudasai mean? Thanks for the review!

Suicidal Angel In Love- haha, wow, caps! Thanks for reviewing! I hope you liked the chapter!

Kawaiiseeker987- haha, thanks so much for the review! And I read your story, and it's not crap :D Hope you liked the chapter!

Lilly- Aw, thanks!

BlackIcyRoses- LOL, hey! Of course they're gonna see each other again! Duh! LOL! Aw, thanks so much:blushes:

Mercedes- O.O France:faints: Merci beaucoup pour ton review! Uhm, J'ai optimismé (I hope XD) vous aimez le… update? X.X My French is très horrible! Thanks so much for the review! Wow… France!

Littlelonewolf- Cool, mabuhay! XD My spelling might be off Lol, her gift to Syaoran… Well, if you didn't guess what it was in the other chapter, I'm sure you can guess what it is now. Thanks for reviewing!

Phantom Demon- Lol, thanks for the review!

Oekaki- Aw! Thanks so much! I hope you liked the update!

Rose Mitzkah- Cool! Mabuhay..? LOL, welcome! S'all I know how to say! What do you mean writing anything new? I'm confused… do you mean a new chapter? Lol, well, um, hope you liked the update! Thanks!

Ikot-ikot- Aw, thanks so much:blushes:

CherryChik- Wow, New Zealand! Cool :D Haha, well, chapter length will come in time… Thanks so much!

Yukyungtang- Of course they get together! LOL wow, you're from "down under" XD Thanks for your reviews!

LilacBlu- LOL, well, I don't know about that… Touya was in a coma… and I'm pretty sure that he couldn't hear anything… or at least, remember anything. Lol, well, I hope you liked the chapter, even though it's not really what you wanted!

AnimeluvaJK- CAPS! Yay! Hehe, thanks for the review!

Limitedvision- Hehe, yeah! We all love Syaoran! Thanks for the review!

Animated freak- hehe, thanks for the review!

Babiriceball- Thanks for reviewing! I hope you liked the update!

Ngoc1231- Haha, well, I don't think any of us want Syaoran to lose Sakura, so he won't. Don't worry! Thanks for reviewing and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Bunny-usako- Lol! Yep, we all love romance and love :D I myself am a hopeless, hopeless romantic. Well, Syaoran didn't keep Sakura then… but what about now? Did you like the ending? Hehe, I hope so! Thanks so much for reviewing and thanks for reading my story! W00t.

Lord Balmung- lol cool, is your name from .hack? Balmung… lol if you're twenty yet, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And if not, HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY! Yay! Oh, I haven't had a chance to read your stories yet, but I will, promise! Thanks for reading my story! I hope you liked it :D

Poll Results:

a) 0
b) 18
c) 7
d) 0
e) 0
n/a (people who didn't respond): 8

North America (USA, CAN): 8
Asia (Singapore, Philippines): 3
Europe (France, England, Netherlands): 4
Oceania (Australia, New Zealand): 4
Unaccounted for: 15


Wow. You guys totally rule. Thanks so much for all the support :D And all the reviews, they totally forced me to write the chapters! Thank you to everyone who put me or SBS on their faves.

I hope you enjoyed this story… and –cringes- I might do a sequel. –flinches- maybe. I'm not a big fan of sequels, but I had this idea… for the past couple of days… and –sigh- I just might.

Or, I could use the idea for another story, totally unrelated to this one. –shrugs- Well, chances are, I won't do a sequel and I probably won't write out this idea.

Oh wow, I can't believe I got such good responses to the poll! Lol! Seriously, I got people from France, the Netherlands, Australia, Singapore -! It's crazy, really it is. I was totally expecting just like America and Canada. And then my mom's like, honey, it's the world wide web.

But STILL! Wow, you guys are just amazing! I lo0o0ove you:D

Oh yes, and if I do a sequel, I'm going to need a beta -.-; Seriously, I catch everyone else's mistakes but never my own.

So yes, I hope you enjoyed Snow Becomes Spring, because I have. Now please, throw your empty popcorn bags in the trash cans and close the door on your way out.

:) … is it too much to hope for 200 reviews?